COVID-19 Information

As of 12:01am, March 11, 2022, the order requiring masks indoors was lifted. Masks remain optional for people in all indoor public settings, including all indoor spaces at BCIT, and individuals may choose to wear them.

As Dr. Henry reminds us, it is crucial that everyone move at their own pace and comfort levels and we expect everyone in the BCIT community to respect each other’s personal choices.

As of 12:01am, April 8, 2022, proof of vaccination is no longer required on campus. This includes all places where it was previously required (e.g. gyms, restaurants, and for students living in student housing on campus).

The best protection from getting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Get information on getting vaccinated, or getting a vaccine booster, from the BCCDC.

Physical distancing is not required but encouraged when possible, but should be supplemented by being fully vaccinated, daily self-checks and frequent hand cleaning. Individuals may also choose to wear a mask if this makes them more comfortable.

BCIT has received a shipment of Rapid Antigen Tests from the Provincial Health Services Authority. These tests have been provided to support the continuity of on-campus learning and work.

At the time of receipt, each student, faculty, and staff member received one Rapid Response® COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kit, which contains five tests. BCIT’s distribution is in addition to provincial eligibility for a free test kit for BC residents who are 18+ and registered for MSP, currently taking place through pharmacies across the province. Visit the BCCDC website to find instructions for at-home rapid antigen tests. You can also watch this helpful video.

Once you have your tests, keep and use them to confirm your COVID status only when you are experiencing symptoms. Tests should be used by symptomatic individuals only, in alignment with public health guidance. They are being distributed in advance as a proactive measure to ensure students, faculty, and staff have access to tests when they need them.

Rapid tests should be considered a red light, not a green light, meaning that if you test positive you should immediately begin isolating follow the steps outlined by the BCCDC in If You Have COVID-19. If you test negative but have symptoms, stay home, continue to monitor symptoms, follow public health guidance, and limit contacts. Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home until their symptoms are gone or they feel well enough to resume regular activities.

Rapid tests are another part of the many layers of protection that support the health and well-being of our community and enable the in-person activities on campuses. Vaccines remain the most effective way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 on campus. Everyone eligible is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

How will I receive my rapid test kit?

Campus-wide test kit distribution is now complete. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, please do not come to campus to collect a test kit. Assume you are ill and stay home until your symptoms are gone.

Rapid test kits are also widely available, and free, at pharmacies in British Columbia.

Students, faculty, and staff

Remaining kits are available, while supplies last, at the Student Life Office (Burnaby Campus, SW1-1303) and at the Housing Office (Burnaby Campus, SW11). Security desks at all campuses also have a limited supply.

• Do not attend classes or come to campus. If you are already on campus, please avoid others and return home.
• Follow the guidance provided by your health authority and the steps on the BCCDC’s page on If You Have COVID-19.
• You may let your close contacts know but you are not required to tell anyone that you have COVID-19. The BCCDC provides you with information on how to define and notify your close contacts.
• If you will be missing classes, contact your Program/Department Head or instructor to advise them that you are unwell and won’t be in class. Work with your instructor to determine how to make up any missed work during your self-isolation or upon return to study.
• If you are unwell or have tested positive, you are encouraged to submit an Early Assist referral if you or your instructor need assistance with academic accommodations.
• Students who are unwell or test positive are also welcome to contact Early Assist if they are looking for general support, resources, or referrals.

You do not need to report your test results to BCIT. If you are sick, please contact your instructor (for students) or your manager (for employees) and let them know you are unable to come to campus and make arrangements, as needed, for your absence.

BCIT, like all other post-secondary institutions, receives direction from health authorities and other agencies in government around protocols when/if a presumptive or positive case is identified by a health authority. In British Columbia, the health authorities are accountable for determining appropriate steps considering the health and safety of all British Columbians, the privacy of individuals and appropriate communication to citizens.

If you are a student and live on campus and have symptoms or a confirmed case of COVID-19:

• Contact Healthlink 811, BCIT Student Health Services – 604-432-8608 (call before attending), or primary care physician.
• Follow the BC Centre for Disease Control self-isolating protocols
• Contact Student Housing at housing@bcit.ca
• Students who are unwell or test positive are also welcome to contact Early Assist if they are looking for general support, resources, or referrals.

According to the BCCDC website, symptoms for COVID-19 include fever, cough, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing. Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, can use the BC Centre for Disease Control self-assessment tool at which point they will be connected to further information and instruction from health professionals.

If you have symptoms and have already received your rapid test kit, you can test yourself as a tool to confirm your COVID.

For additional information, please visit the BCCDC website or call 8-1-1. You can also review the Canada Health FAQ webpage or call the Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397.

Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available, in more than 100 languages, from the BCCDC 7:30am-8pm, 7 days a week at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

We’d like to remind everyone in our community of the importance of maintaining your well-being and mental health. Confidential counselling resources are always available and are so important at this time.

Counselling services for faculty and staff can be accessed 24/7 through Homewood Health by calling 1-800-663-1142.

Counselling services for students are available through BCIT Student Counselling by calling 604-432-8608. The Province of BC’s Here2Talk Program is also available to connect students with mental health supports.

For all BCIT-related travel, faculty, staff, and students are expected to follow current provincial and federal guidelines and requirements as well as BCIT Policy 7140 (Travel – Risk and Security).

BCIT-related travel

All BCIT-related travel requests will adhere to the policy and procedures outlined in Policy 7140 – Travel – Risk and Security and will be reviewed on a per-request basis, including a risk assessment as necessary.

General guidance

We also recommend, if you are travelling for any purpose, that you:

• Review the BC Government’s information on Travel and COVID-19.
• Check the public health measures in place for your destination; don’t assume they are the same as in British Columbia.
• Be familiar with the requirements regarding the mode of transportation for your trip. Taking a plane or train within Canada? Familiarize yourself with the requirements.
• If you are vaccinated, make sure you have your proof of vaccination on your mobile device.
• If you are leaving Canada, be sure to familiarize yourself with the existing federal requirements regarding travel.
• Review any existing requirements regarding isolation and/or quarantine.
• Ensure that you have planned for – both in time and money – any requirements you may have to follow in order to return to British Columbia (e.g. obtaining an approved rapid antigen test locally for international travel).
• Upon your return, be sure to refamiliarize yourself with all current restrictions in British Columbia, Canadian federal information related to the pandemic, and check for any breaking news updates to BCIT’s COVID-19 information.

BCIT International is committed to guiding and supporting international students at BCIT during COVID-19. Find information about the admissions process for new international students, updated travel and immigration measures, medical insurance updates, and more.

BCIT International is committed to guiding and supporting international students at BCIT during COVID-19. Find information about the admissions process for new international students, updated travel and immigration measures, medical insurance updates, and more.

BCIT International is committed to guiding and supporting international students at BCIT. For assistance, please contact isc_info@bcit.ca and our dedicated staff will help navigate you through the available resources.

If you are planning to travel from abroad make sure to review the International Student Centre’s Travel to Canada Guide for updated information including any remaining pandemic-related travel regulations to be aware of.

If you are already in Canada, know that international students may access and are encouraged to get a Covid-19 vaccination as well as a BC Vaccine Card once you qualify as fully-vaccinated.

Please feel free to contact the International Student Centre with any questions or concerns on this topic.

The BCIT remote-work guidelines provide for a majority of time on campus, which is also intended to help with department space challenges. Please speak to your immediate manager about space planning.

Medical accommodations are separate from BCIT remote-work guidelines. If you have a medical concern, please notify your immediate manager and our HR Disability Department for our existing medical accommodation process.

As always, if you have medical questions and concerns you should seek the advice of your own healthcare provider. We know how difficult these times are for people with vulnerable family members. Your safety, and that of your family is our first priority.

If you are living with a family member with an underlying health condition that presents a higher risk for COVID-19 complications, you can contact your immediate manager and/or HR Business Partner. It is also recommended that you follow all preventative measures from the BC Centre of Disease Control.

Employees who become sick with COVID-19 should speak to their immediate manager and Disability Department to determine their applicable sick pay and benefits coverage. If you contract COVID-19 due to the nature of your work, you may be eligible for a WorkSafeBC claim. Adjudication of claims is determined by WorkSafeBC.

Regular cleaning and disinfecting services are in place to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our community on campus. For areas requiring specific cleaning, please submit a work request by calling 604-432-8777, emailing BCITfixit@bcit.ca, or going to facilitiesrequest.bcit.ca

Faculty, staff, and students can maintain and can disinfect their own electronic equipment, including keyboards, phones, printers/scanners, and in-office personal items on desks and cabinets.

Departments can purchase disinfecting wipes for this purpose. Clorox and Lysol wipes are safe for use on most keyboards (for Mac users check operating manual) and computer mice. Please work with your Manager/Supervisor to arrange for cleaning product. Commercial grade cleaning product can also be supplied and refilled through submitting a Facilities work request (or ext. 8777).

BCIT asks that horizontal surfaces such as desks remain clutter-free to ensure regular cleaning can occur. Surfaces clear of papers, binders, and work-related matter will receive proper cleaning.

There has been a lot of conversation about ventilation during the pandemic. Even prior to the pandemic, Facilities Services has and continues to follow a rigorous best practices preventative maintenance program. For ventilation, our sophisticated work flow management system generates and assigns all required proactive maintenance tasks to our in-house building trades and specialized contractors. All the work is tracked to ensure it is completed on schedule. The program has many components and tiers that fit together to ensure that all aspects of HVAC systems, operation are regularly inspected, maintained, and verified. Most of these activities are held to account by regulators such as WorkSafeBC and Technical Safety BC, who inspect and issue official permits allowing us to operate regulated systems and equipment.

In addition, we hire industry-leading consultants to conduct regular indoor air quality surveys and HVAC equipment audits at all buildings and campuses to verify end-user/occupant conditions. Consultants performed this survey prior to the September 2021 fall term.

In general, if there is a workplace safety situation that you are concerned about, immediately report it to your direct manager and report the concern through IRIS (Incident Reporting and Information System) for investigation and, where necessary, correction of the hazard.

We understand everyone in our community wants to stay healthy. Throughout the pandemic we have taken immediate steps to keep you safe and accepted all recommendations from healthcare experts and authorities, including sharing preventative measures across our campuses, enabling social distancing, supplementary cleaning, and self-isolation for some individuals, as recommended by health authorities.

If you feel a situation or hazard has not been satisfactorily resolved by your immediate manager, please contact BCIT Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at ssemohs@bcit.ca. Additional resource from BCIT OHS is available online, including telework.